During your clinical training in the Micrographic Surgery and Dermatologic Oncology Fellowship, you will:

• Learn all aspects of Mohs micrographic surgery, including layering the tumor, laboratory processing, and interpretation of specimens pathologically, as well as the reconstruction of cutaneous defects in all its various nuances
• Gain hands-on experience and competency with dermatologic oncology, including basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma and melanoma, Merkel cell carcinoma, extra-mammary Paget's disease as well as other skin malignancies and associated conditions
• Become proficient in a wide range of reconstructive techniques, laser procedures, and cosmetic procedures for people with skin disease or scarring, as well as those who seek cosmetic improvements
• Enhance your consultation and follow-up techniques with patients
• Spend time in a cadaver lab
• Cut tissue and understand the intricacies of quality slides
• Spend time with fellows of various disciplines as part of a collaborative curriculum including otolaryngology, ophthalmology/oculoplastic surgery, plastic surgery, orthopedic oncology surgery, general surgery, urology, gynecology oncology, radiation oncology, and medical oncology
• Direct dermatology residents in their development of basic dermatologic surgery skills including simple excisions, small flaps and grafts, and laser surgery
• Participate in leading pig skin suturing sessions with surgical nursing staff

Leadership training

You will participate in a formal leadership training curriculum throughout the year. This curriculum consists of at least six books (one every two months), and multiple didactic sessions. During this portion of your fellowship, you will:

• Learn conflict-resolution skills
• Learn how to give and receive feedback effectively
• Understand unconscious (implicit) biases that affect you and your daily interactions with others
• Hone your presentation skills
• Understand the keys to success and the importance of wellness and burnout
• Learn and practice excellent communication skills
• Gain a better understanding of emotional intelligence
• Understand how to maximize your research efforts
• Understand your hot buttons and how to control your emotional triggers
• Gain insight into the importance of a culture of psychological safety

As part of this curriculum, you will have the opportunity to have ongoing discussions throughout the year with the program director and other surgery faculty regarding your leadership development.

Research training

During the fellowship, you are expected to design and conduct a research project from inception through fruition in cooperation with the program director or another staff member in the Division of Dermatologic Surgery. You will have access to a significant number of resources to help with your research endeavors and successes. A great research project stems from a great research question, and you will be expected to have several research questions prior to initiating a project.

Call frequency

Primary call is done by the dermatology residents. As a fellow, you will take secondary call, with one of the surgical staff also available on call at all times. Mayo Clinic follows the recommendations of the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education.

Teaching opportunities

You will have the opportunity to teach Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine students and visiting students from other medical schools through bedside instruction and formal didactic lectures.

Career development

You meet periodically with various faculty members, administrators, and the program director to discuss your professional goals. Mayo Clinic recruits many of its staff physicians from its own training programs, so when you successfully complete this fellowship, job opportunities may be available at one of Mayo Clinic's group practices.

Evaluation

To ensure that you acquire adequate knowledge and develop your technical skills, your performance is monitored carefully during the course of the Micrographic Surgery and Dermatologic Oncology Fellowship.

You are evaluated formally by your supervising faculty members every three months through a variety of methods. In addition, you regularly evaluate the faculty to ensure that your educational needs are being met.